Aadhaar card is a unique identification card issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) to the citizens of India. It contains a 12-digit unique identification number, demographic and biometric information of an individual. The Aadhaar card is mandatory for availing various government schemes, services and subsidies.
Amid growing concerns regarding data privacy and security, UIDAI introduced an innovative concept called Masked Aadhaar. The idea behind masked Aadhaar is to protect the privacy of an individual by masking certain details like the Aadhaar number, photograph, and demographic information, while displaying only the name and the last four digits of the Aadhaar number.
In this article, we will discuss everything you need to know about masked Aadhaar, its benefits, and how you can use it.
What Is Masked Aadhaar?
Masked Aadhaar is a new feature introduced by UIDAI in December 2017. It allows an Aadhaar holder to share a masked or partially concealed version of their Aadhaar details to service providers or agencies that do not require the full information.
The masked Aadhaar card displays only the last four digits of the Aadhaar number, instead of the full 12 digits, along with the first and last name of the cardholder, and bars the display of the individual’s photograph, biometric and demographic information, including the gender and the date of birth.
For instance, if you want to open a bank account, the bank will only require your name and the last four digits of your Aadhaar number. In this case, you can use masked Aadhaar to share your details with the bank, instead of sharing the full Aadhaar number.
How To Generate Masked Aadhaar?
Generating masked Aadhaar is as simple as generating a regular Aadhaar card. You can either visit the UIDAI website or download the mAadhaar app to generate the masked Aadhaar card.
Step 1: Visit the UIDAI website, click on the ‘Download Aadhaar’ option, and enter your Aadhaar number or enrolment ID, and security code. If you have already generated a masked Aadhaar before, click on the ‘Masked Aadhaar’ option.
Step 2: If you have not generated a masked Aadhaar before, you will need to check on the ‘I want a masked Aadhaar’ checkbox before clicking on the ‘Download Aadhaar’ option.
Step 3: Once you have clicked on the ‘Download Aadhaar’ option, a masked Aadhaar card will be displayed on the screen. You can download or print the card as per your convenience.
Alternatively, you can also generate a masked Aadhaar card using the mAadhaar app. Download the app, enter your Aadhaar number and OTP for verification, and click on the ‘Masked Aadhaar’ option to generate the card.
Benefits of Masked Aadhaar
- Protects Your Privacy: Masked Aadhaar protects your privacy by concealing certain details like the Aadhaar number, photograph, and demographic information. It prevents potential misuse of your Aadhaar details and reduces the risk of identity theft.
- Eases Transactions: With the adoption of masked Aadhaar, you can easily share your Aadhaar details with third-party service providers as only limited information is required for transactions. This makes the process seamless and smooth.
- Streamlines Authentication: Masked Aadhaar streamlines the authentication process by making it less time-consuming and more efficient. Service providers can easily verify your details without having to ask for your full Aadhaar number, making the process hassle-free.
- Enhanced Security: Masked Aadhaar ensures enhanced security by prescribing a strict protocol for usage, including disabling of ‘Take a Print’ option to avoid misuse of this masked Aadhaar card.
- Reduces Dependency On Physical ID Proof: With masked Aadhaar, you don’t need to carry a physical Aadhaar card to avail services. You can just use your digital Aadhaar card to authenticate yourself.
Limitations of Masked Aadhaar
- Not Accepted Everywhere: As masked Aadhaar displays only limited information, it may not be accepted everywhere, particularly in situations where the service provider needs full Aadhaar information for authentication.
- Cannot Be Used For KYC: Masked Aadhaar cannot be used for KYC (Know Your Customer) purposes as it does not display full Aadhaar information. In such cases, you will need to provide your full Aadhaar card details.
- Not For All Purposes: Masked Aadhaar is not applicable for all purposes. It can only be used for transactions or services where limited information is required.
- No Physical Copy: Masked Aadhaar does not come with a physical copy, which may be a problem for those who prefer to have a physical Aadhaar card.
How To Verify Masked Aadhaar?
Verification of masked Aadhaar can be done using the same methods as Aadhaar verification. For instance, service providers can use the Aadhaar Authentication API or the eKYC (electronic verification of KYC) method to verify masked Aadhaar.
Service providers can also use the QR code to verify the authenticity of the Aadhaar card. The QR code contains all the necessary details of the Aadhaar card, including the masked Aadhaar number, name, demographic information, and photograph. By scanning the QR code, service providers can easily verify the authenticity of the Aadhaar card. To get the brief information about CIBIL/ PAN Card you can visit Bajaj Finserv App.
How To Check Masked Aadhaar Status?
Checking the masked Aadhaar status is similar to checking the Aadhaar status. You can check the status of your masked Aadhaar by visiting the UIDAI website and clicking on the ‘Check Aadhaar Status’ option.
Enter your enrolment ID, date and time of enrolment, and the security code, and click on the ‘Check Status’ option. If your masked Aadhaar has been generated, you will receive a message on your registered mobile number or email address.
Conclusion
Masked Aadhaar is an innovative feature introduced by UIDAI to enhance the privacy and security of Aadhaar holders. It offers limited information to service providers, making transactions seamless and smoother, while also reducing the risk of identity theft and misuse of Aadhaar details.
Although it has its limitations, masked Aadhaar has many benefits and is a step towards making Aadhaar more secure and efficient.
